Johnny Cash Meets Karl Jenkins?

GCA Board President Elaine Bolton and I share a passion OTHER THAN choral music. We both love the music of Johnny Cash. Last week when his new (and final) album was released, it wasn't long until we both had listened to it and had identified our favorite tracks. One track that we both enjoyed had a theme very similar to that of THE ARMED MAN: A MASS FOR PEACE. The lyrics are:

Last night I had the strangest dream

I'd ever dreamed before

I dreamed the world had all agreed

To put an end to war

I dreamed I saw a mighty room

Filled with women and men

And the paper they were signing said

They'd never fight again

And when the paper was all signed

And a million copies made

They all joined hands and bowed their heads

And grateful pray'rs were prayed

And the people in the streets below

Were dancing 'round and 'round

While swords and guns and uniforms

Were scattered on the ground

Last night I had the strangest dream

I'd never dreamed before

I dreamed the world had all agreed

To put an end to war.

(Ed McCurdy)

When you get so close to performing a work like TAM, it's easy for everything else in your life to relate in some way to that major project on your plate!